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Thursday: Boomers & Beyond

Seniors seeking safe, affordable housing often out of luck

MARQUETTE — A large gap exists between the need for safe, affordable housing for older adults and their availability. The state is short 204,728 rental homes that are affordable for extremely low-income renters, according to the 2021 Michigan Housing Profile published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. And there are only 35 affordable and available rental units for every 100 extremely low-income renters. Michigan ranks 13th in the nation for unavailable affordable housing, according to a report from the housing coalition. “Waiting lists for senior subsidized ...

100 years young: Shirley Moore marks centennial birthday

MARQUETTE — You’d never guess Shirley Moore is 100 years old. Her current bucket list consists of getting a pilot’s license and zip lining. Within the past year, she had done something most people are too nervous to do. “My dad had the most beautiful tattoo of a butterfly and he ...

Battling dementia

MARQUETTE — Chances are, you know or have known someone with dementia. Maybe it is a loved one, a friend, or an acquaintance. An estimated 5 million adults at least 65 years of age had dementia in 2014, and this number is projected to be nearly 14 million by 2060, according to the Centers ...

How to help your parents navigate health care in retirement

Many adults find themselves helping their aging parents sign up for Medicare, a complex process with many steps and considerations. There are penalties for delaying enrollment, and not everyone understands their options. “You can’t go into it thinking it’s really easy,” says Melinda Caughill, co-founder of 65 Incorporated, which offers guidance on Medicare. “It is incredibly complicated, and the decisions your parents made, or will make, will affect you.” Being proactive and getting as much information as possible can help. Try these tips to be the best advocate for your ...

Tai chi

MARQUETTE — As the new year approaches, many people are looking for activities to keep the winter blues away. The Marquette Senior Center is a great resource for senior citizens looking to stay active. The senior center holds several classes throughout the week, including tai chi on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. “It is one of the National Association of Senior Centers and National Counsel on Aging best programing recommendations for fall prevention and balance, so we’re really pleased to be offering it here to our older adult population,” Senior ...

Tiny wasps may be the key to saving ash

MARQUETTE — Ash trees were once abundant in Michigan but now hundreds of millions of them are dead. They were killed by the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle native to Eastern Asia. In a forest overlooking Lake Charlevoix, Derek Shiels says he hopes to find the trees. He’s the director of stewardship at the Little Traverse Conservancy based in Harbor Springs. He says that ash are one of the easiest trees to spot. “Because they’re all dead,” Shiels said, laughing. The conservancy works in Cheboygan, Mackinac, Emmet, Cheboygan, Chippewa and Charlevoix counties. ...